What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Kawasaki Disease?

Major Signs and Symptoms

One of the main symptoms during the early part of Kawasaki disease, called the acute phase, is fever. The fever lasts longer than 5 days. It remains high even after treatment with standard childhood fever medicines.

Other classic signs of the disease are:

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• A rash on the mid-section of the body and in the genital area
• Red, dry, cracked lips and a red, swollen tongue
• Red, swollen palms of the hands and soles of the feet
• Redness of the eyes

Other Signs and Symptoms

During the acute phase, your child also may be irritable and have a sore throat, joint pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain.

Within 2 to 3 weeks of the start of the first symptoms, the skin of your child's fingers and toes may peel, sometimes in large sheets.